Sand in my mouth.

The soft wool of my sweater was gritty. I found myself lying face down, sand in my mouth, the sound of waves in my ears. I pushed myself up, and took in a small, secluded beach with rocks strewn about and a narrow path leading back to the top of the overhanging cliffs. I could vaguely hear the sound of what sounded like cars before It became deathly silent. The only sound the soft lapping of the waves on the beach.

I rose to my feet, brushing the sand off of me. It was quiet, and I wondered what had happened to He... Holy shit...

I remembered everything. Every moment of those dreams. Helen punching me. Kaila sobbing in my arms, Charlotte telling me so much... My fingers ran across my jaw, feeling the bruise. Yeah, it was real. Which means...

"So... I suppose I should say something dramatic, but we can always just go back in and edit in something good. Let's see, one edit, two edits, Third edit for continuity Aaaaaand... nope, still the best line." A spritely Brunette with flecks of what looked like blonde in her hair began skipping down the path from the highway. She didn't pause for a moment, and she seemed completely incorrectly dressed for the weather. For that matter, her voice had seemed to come from mere inches away. Her clothing resembled something from a historical epic. Long, dark, flowing and looking way too good to be historically accurate. I took in her arched eyebrows and broad smile. I had no idea who she was, but she seemed familiar somehow. She seemed young, maybe in her early twenties? I had no idea honestly, I'd always been pretty awful at guessing ages.

"Yep! Now we stick you in a big wooden guy and light it on fire." The woman grinned at me, "No, Wait, that's the other guys on a west coast."

"Burning Man?" I mumbled, trying to follow the logic.

"That's ONE! ONE Stupid Question! Ah, ah, ah!" The woman laughed with a bad Eastern European accent. Her tone became mocking as she continued. "Aaaand no further question. Shit. Coulda gotten away with another free one." She shrugged her shoulders. "Can't blame a gal for trying. I will tell you it was boring as hell waiting for you to show up this time. I've been up since the late fifties, and the last thirty... man they sucked."

I didn't say anything. Considering what I now knew, it seemed the smartest option.

"Ohhh, trying to play it smart, huh? You know your partner in crime went right for Tits McGee, right out of the gate when it was his turn. Betcha feel kinda stoopid now?" The woman laughed maliciously, and I could hear the two O's in her pronunciation of the word.

I wanted to ask her to explain, but it seemed like something she wanted. This woman, this... goddess, whoever she was, did not seem to have my best interests at heart.

"Oh! I guess they didn't tell you!" The woman dropped into a cross legged position on the sand. "Have a seat, we'll have fun. You, me, Girl talk." She patted the beach next to her.